Vision-related quality of life among released from treatment cases of leprosy evaluated with NEI-VFQ-25: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

People with leprosy who have been declared Release From Treatment (RFT) are often not aware of the leprosy sequelae possibility which can decrease their quality of life. This could be because they have been adapting for a long time hence they do not feel the need to see physicians. This study seeks to compare the results of Vision-Related Quality of Life (VR-QoL) among RFT persons based on the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and WHO grading disability based on physical examination.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 325 RFT subjects from leprosy communities (Singkawang, West Kalimantan and Tangerang, Banten) was conducted between 2018 and 2019. We used the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire that had been validated and translated into Indonesian and distributed to the leprosy population. Relationships and comparisons among variables were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.

RESULTS

There were three main results: The median composite score of VR-QoL for WHO grade 0, 1, and 2 disabilities has decreased by 13%, 25.5%, and 30% of the maximum value, respectively. Of the total, eleven subscales were statistically significant between WHO grading disability and VR-QoL based on the NEI-VFQ-25 (p < 0.05). The comparison between grade 0 and grade 2 disability in all subscales was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The grade of disability is related to their VR-QoL assessment using the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire. Thus, it can be used as an initial screening in primary healthcare settings to increase awareness of disability before a thorough physical examination.

Comparative Assessment of Short-Term Tendon-Scleral Postoperative Inflammation and α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression following Oral and Topical Diclofenac Administration for Strabismus Surgery in Rabbits

PURPOSE

Wound healing and fibrosis modulation are considered pivotal for the long-term outcome of strabismus surgery. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including diclofenac sodium, are inflammation suppressive drugs that may modulate wound healing, including postoperative inflammation. This study aimed to compare the effect of oral and 0.1% topical diclofenac sodium on short-term inflammation and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression at the tendon-scleral attachment site following strabismus surgery in an experimental rabbit model.

METHODS

Superior rectus recession was performed in 12 eyes of six New Zealand rabbits. Rabbits were divided into three groups: oral diclofenac 2 × 5 mg/kg for three days (group A), 0.1% diclofenac sodium eye drops 3 times/day for three days (group B), and controls (group C). On postoperative day 14, enucleation was performed. Macroscopic adhesion score, microscopic adhesion score, percentage of postoperative inflammation area (Masson's trichrome staining), and α-SMA (immunohistochemistry staining) were assessed. Data analysis was performed using a semi-quantitative and quantitative assessment with ImageJ. All groups were compared with reciprocal staining intensity (RSI) values to measure α-SMA expression.

RESULTS

All groups showed no difference in macroscopic (p = 0.13) and microscopic adhesion scores (p = 0.28). The percentage of postoperative inflammation area in group B (12.44% (8.63-18.29)) was significantly lower than group A (26.76% (21.38-37.56) p = 0.03) and group C (27.80% (16.42-36.28), p = 0.04). Comparative RSI analysis found that group B had a significantly lower α-SMA expression than group C (174.08 ± 21.78 vs 212.58 ± 12.06, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that compared to oral, the administration of topical diclofenac showed a more significant reduction of short-term postoperative inflammation and α-SMA expression at the tendon-scleral attachment site following strabismus surgery.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection combined with panretinal photocoagulation for neovascular glaucoma in Indonesian patients with diabetes mellitus: a prospective study

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous humor and the effect of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on the management in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG).  METHODS This study was a prospective, interventional study in DM patients with NVG. Paracentesis followed by intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection was performed in all eyes. The concentration of VEGF obtained from paracentesis was measured. In week-1, the intraocular pressure (IOP), sectorial iris neovascularization (NVI), and visual acuity were documented, and management was continued with PRP laser over a period of 1 week. All parameters and additional interventions performed after PRP were also recorded.  RESULTS A total of 18 eyes from 17 patients were studied. The mean (SD) level of VEGF in the aqueous humor was 3,864 (1,468) pg/ml, and the mean (SD) of initial IOP was 39 (10.2) mmHg. There was a significant reduction in IOP in week-1 after the first intervention to 24.4 (8.0) mmHg (p = 0.001); however, at 2 weeks the IOP increased to 30.4 (6.7) mmHg. NVI showed significant regression in week-1 after IVB combined with PRP laser (p < 0.05). All eyes required additional glaucoma implants (14 eyes) and cyclocryotheraphy (4 eyes).  CONCLUSIONS In the eyes of diabetes patients with NVG, VEGF levels were high. With the use of IVB, the IOP was reduced, and NVI regressed; however, due to the severe stages of disease, all eyes required glaucoma surgery.

The effectiveness of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and releasable suture in posner-schlossman syndrome with secondary glaucoma: A case series

The aim of this study is to describe the effectiveness of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and releasable suture in Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) with secondary glaucoma. Early treatment is the key to successful management of PSS with secondary glaucoma. However, unremitting exposure of high intraocular pressure (IOP) because of the high recurrence rate of PSS may cause further optic nerve damage and visual field defect. It is assumed that trabeculectomy may become the surgical treatment of choice in order to prevent further damage to the optic nerve despite recurring attack of PSS. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and releasable suture was performed in 5 patients (3 females and 2 males) with recurring attacks of PSS and secondary glaucoma after acute attack had subsided. Before surgery, these patients had already suffered more than 3 acute attacks which were alleviated with antiglaucoma and anti-inflammatory medications; however, optic nerve damage and visual field defect had already developed. After trabeculectomy, 4 patients experienced no recurrent attacks during the follow-up period. One patient only suffered another episode of acute attack; however, an abrupt increase in IOP of more than 22 mmHg did not occur. In all cases, blebs were well formed, and no further optic nerve damage or visual field defects were observed up until final follow-up. In PSS with secondary glaucoma, medication may alleviate the IOP increase and inflammation; however, there is still a chance of damage occurring to the optic nerve each time an attack recurs. Trabeculectomy may be considered a safe and effective surgical treatment modality in PSS with secondary glaucoma in order to prevent further optic nerve damage due to the extreme IOP spike in each recurrent attack.

Rare case of bilateral perforated corneal ulcer due to gonococcal infection, managed with temporary periosteal graft

A 17-year-old female patient was referred to Kirana Ophthalmology Unit, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, with a 10-day history of redness and swelling of the eyes, and inability to open them. Other symptoms included pain, blurred vision and excessive yellowish-white discharge from both eyes. There was a history of multiple sexual partners. The patient was assessed with bilateral perforated corneal ulcer due to gonococcal infection, based on the findings of intracellular and extracellular Gram-negative diplococci found on the Gram staining examination. The cornea in both eyes showed perforation with iris prolapse inferiorly. The perforations were treated with temporary periosteal grafts. The grafts remained in place after the surgery. Final uncorrected visual acuity was 6/20 in the right eye and 6/24 in the left eye, a few months after surgery.